Resources for Consumers and Carers

Mental health support

If you’re experiencing an emergency, call 000.

Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) is a 24-hour phone service for people in metropolitan Perth experiencing a mental health crisis.

• Phone (Perth): 1300 555 788
• Phone (Peel): 1800 676 822
• Website

Rurallink is an after-hours phone service for people in regional WA experiencing a mental health crisis

• Hours: 4.30pm – 8.30am weeknights
• 24 hours on weekends and public holidays
• Website

Here For You is a support service for people seeking help for their own or someone else’s mental health, alcohol or drug-related challenges.

• Hours: 7am-10pm daily
• Phone: 1800 437 348 (toll free)
• Website

Feedback and complaints

Each public hospital and Health Service Provider in WA has a dedicated department for receiving complaints. The Department of Health maintains a list of public hospital patient feedback contacts.

Private hospitals and clinics manage complaints independently. Complaints or feedback regarding care at a private health service should be directed to the provider.

• Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HaDSCO) is the WA Government agency responsible for resolving complaints in the health system.
• Care Opinion is a national not-for-profit resource for consumers to give feedback to healthcare services. Care Opinion works directly with public and private health providers to ensure feedback is shared with the healthcare services so that all parties can work towards a resolution.
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the Australian Government agency responsible for overseeing the registration and regulation of health practitioners.

Advocacy and resources

There are a range of organisations that advocate for consumer rights and experiences in the health system. These range from individual advocates who can help with your specific experience, to systemic advocates who look to bring changes to legislation, clinical practice and the way the health system is run.

• Mental Health Advocacy Service (MHAS) is an independent government body that offers free advocacy services to people receiving involuntary mental health care.
• Mental Health Tribunal is the decision-making body responsible for safeguarding the rights of involuntary patients.
• Consumers of Mental Health WA is a not-for-profit organisation working with the lived experience to provide systemic advocacy, awareness-raising research and peer leadership for mental health consumers.
• Ruah Legal Services, also known as the Mental Health Law Centre, provides legal support for involuntary patients.
• Mental Health Commission is the WA Government agency responsible for policy, workforce planning and service commissioning in the mental health sector.
• WA Association for Mental Health is the peak body for mental health in Western Australia, providing systemic advocacy, sector development and health promotion services.
• Health Consumers Council WA provide individual advocacy, systemic advocacy, training and resources for consumers across all forms of healthcare.
• Carers WA is the peak body for carers in WA, offering social support, advocacy services and resources for carers.
• HelpingMinds offers mental health education, mental health services and support for people struggling with mental health challenges, as well as their carers.
• Strong Spirit Strong Mind is a support service, resource hub and public health initiative focused on the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people.